Steven E. Gurdin - Boston, MA

Overview

"Practicing in the areas of family law and probate litigation requires a combination of zealous advocacy, thorough knowledge of the substantive law, and sensitivity to the complexities and emotional realities of each and every client's situation."

Mr. Gurdin's civil litigation practice is concentrated in the areas of Family Law and Probate Litigation. Mr. Gurdin is repeatedly named a "Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyer" and a "Top 100 New England Super Lawyer". Massachusetts Super Lawyers published by the Thomson Reuters rating service in Boston Magazine. He is ranked at the highest level of legal ability, "AV," in the benchmark Martindale-Hubble Law Directory. Mr. Gurdin is also listed in the 2013-2017 editions of in Best Lawyers in America® a highly esteemed national peer review guide of attorneys.

Mr. Gurdin represents clients in all aspects of family law including, divorce proceedings, paternity actions, child removal actions, modification and contempt actions, child custody disputes, domestic violence, and alimony and child support issues. Mr. Gurdin regularly prepares and negotiates pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Mr. Gurdin has extensive experience in representing clients in complex financial issues relating to divorce such as business and real estate valuation, structuring alimony and child support payments to maximize income tax deductibility, and properly analyzing the tax implications when dividing sizeable marital assets. Mr. Gurdin has significant experience representing clients in child custody disputes and working closely with Court appointed Guardians Ad Litem and forensic psychologists and psychiatrists. Mr. Gurdin has experience litigating matters involving issues relating to de facto parents and same sex relationships.

Mr. Gurdin is skilled in the complexities of probate litigation. Mr. Gurdin represents clients in will contests, actions regarding the interpretation and reformation of trusts, guardianship and conservatorship actions. Mr. Gurdin actively represents clients who are fiduciaries and beneficiaries regarding the proper administration of trusts and estates. Mr. Gurdin has successfully represented numerous attorneys and professional fiduciaries in contested proceedings in the Probate and Family Court and Superior Court.

Client Recommendations:

“I met Mr. Gurdin during a difficult life milestone, after a false start with another attorney. At that point, I was looking for a consummate professional who is: crisply organized; highly experienced; down to earth; a lucid teacher of what to expect along the way; openly communicative; and a natural, self-directed leader working effectively for closure. I found Steve to be all of these things…and something more. He is a whole human being. Even under adversity, it was a pleasure to get to know him, and it has been a pleasure to stay in touch ever since.”

"Steve Gurdin represented me in a difficult contested divorce proceeding that involved complicated financial and child custody issues. Steve continuously demonstrated a well reasoned, practical approach while at the same time was an effective, zealous advocate in the Probate and Family Court. Steve always was thoroughly prepared when we went to court, depositions and settlement meetings. I highly recommend Steve as a family law attorney."

"Steve Gurdin has advised and represented me for years in both my divorce and post divorce matters. Steve is a skilled professional who has a great ability to both problem solve and advocate. When my case required thoughtful reasonableness he talked me off the ledge while my emotions were getting the better of me. When my case required tough negotiating, Steve delivered. Steve provided me top rate representation with a reasonable fee structure. I highly recommend Steve."

"I could not be more satisfied with the firm of Fitch Law Partners LLP in my recent divorce and custody agreement. I researched Boston area divorce attorneys extensively before meeting Steve Gurdin. I knew he would be my final choice on the day I met him. I never once regretted that decision. Steve listened, advised, advocated and kept me well informed throughout the divorce proceedings. He directed me when decisions were clear, and helped me decide and participate when strategies were a matter of choice. His confidence and experience put me at ease throughout a very difficult process. Although my divorce was painful and something I wish I could have avoided in life, I am very satisfied with the outcome, and I’m grateful to Steve for who he is, and the way he represented me."

"Steve Gurdin helped my family with a probate litigation matter in Middlesex County. As an attorney myself, I have known Steve for a number of years and thoroughly trusted his skill and advice to my non-lawyer family members in need of his services. Although not a sizable estate, Steve treated the case as importantly as other more sizable matters, and worked with my family on a fee structure that made sense. Fraught with stress and anxiety as such matters often are, Steve was wonderful about explaining the various options to my family members and giving sound advice as to strategy and, ultimately, resolution of the case. I have the utmost confidence and respect for Steve’s ability as an attorney, and also for his ability to recognize the human element in these cases. Thank you Steve!"

"Steven Gurdin represented me in a contentious and drawn-out divorce that involved complicated assets of significant value. It was a painful process, one that I never imagined would happen, and one that I would never want to have happen again. But when I look back on the results, I know that I made the right decision by choosing Steve. He made the process less painful, less expensive, and ultimately steered the outcome to terms that I was more than willing to accept. I met with several potential attorneys when I was preparing to file for divorce. Steve impressed me with his knowledge and experience of how the divorce process works, and his interest and attention to my situation. I learned after the process started that Steve's relationships with the court system and other attorneys were also of great value. Steve is known and trusted by the other professionals who determine the outcome of a divorce, and his relationships enable him to craft solutions that win approval in less time--and with less expense--than might otherwise be negotiated. Probably most importantly, though, Steve cares genuinely for the interests of any children that might be involved in the divorce. He helped me to understand how I might best maintain a relationship with my daughter, during and after the divorce process. For that, and for his excellent help in achieving a favorable settlement, I thank Steve. I am pleased to recommend him very, very highly to anyone who faces the complicated and painful issues of divorce."

Mr. Gurdin regularly contributes to continuing legal education programs in the areas of Family Law and Probate Litigation. He has participated in the following programs:

• Panelist, MCLE's Family Law Case update
• Moderator, Boston Bar Association Bench/Bar Program with four Justices of the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court
• Moderator, Boston Bar Association Bench/Bar Program with five Probate and Family Court Justices
• Moderator, MCLE's Family Court Judicial Forum
• Panelist, MCLE's Family Law Trial Advocacy Workshop
• Chair, MCLE's Divorce Law Basics
• Panelist, MCLE's Probate Litigation Basics
• Member, MCLE's Family Law Curriculum Advisory Committee
• Co-Chair of MCLE's Annual Family Law Conference
• Presenter, Boston Bar Association Trust and Estates Section "Recent Developments in Fiduciary Litigation"
• Participated in authoring section on Discovery in Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education's Divorce Law Practice Manual
• Co-Author, An Overview of Alimony 98 MCLE 10:21

Mr. Gurdin was recognized as a "top volunteering individual" by MCLE in its Annual Report. Mr. Gurdin was among ten recognized by MCLE as a "top volunteering individual" out of the 2,431 individuals that volunteer their time, expertise and enthusiasm as MCLE advisors, faculty, authors and editors.

Mr. Gurdin is an active member of the Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations. Mr. Gurdin served a two year term as Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Boston Bar Association and served a two year term as Co-Chair of the Fiduciary Litigation Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Boston Bar Association. Mr. Gurdin also is an active member of the Family and Probate Law Sections of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Estate Planning Council. Mr. Gurdin is a member of the New England Advisory Board of the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators - AACFL.

Mr. Gurdin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University and a Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School of Union University. Mr. Gurdin was an active member of the Albany Law School Moot Court Board. Mr. Gurdin is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and New York.